Illuminating the Peptide Pathway to PNAs

Main image: Lanterns on Stemholder.

Pioneering custom peptides since 1988, Mimotopes now delves into Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs), synthetic molecules shaping the future of genetic manipulation and therapy. 

Peptides are short strings of amino acids, crucial to the workings of life. Imagine them as the LEGO blocks building the structures of proteins, guiding the actions within living beings and assembling the functionality of cells. Their structural and functional significance extends to cellular communication, enzymatic reactions, and pharmaceutical applications. Peptides have gained significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their potential therapeutic applications in treating a wide range of diseases, including metabolic disorders, oncological disorders, and inflammatory diseases. 

They have shown strong potential in targeted drug delivery, owing to their high specificity, small sizes, ease of modification, and high biocompatibility. The increasing prevalence of diseases such as cancer and metabolic disorders, along with rising investments in research and development of novel drugs, are driving the growth of the peptide market. 

If peptides are the building blocks, Mimotopes are a team of world class architects and engineers, designing and constructing biochemical structures since their inception in 1988. Over the years, Mimotopes has emerged as a leading figure in peptide and discovery chemistry, offering a wide array of biochemical products and services for the life-science sector.

Mimotopes specialize in custom peptides. Each custom-synthesized peptide from Mimotopes is like a tailored instrument in a researcher's toolkit. Scientists modify these molecular tools with specific traits, helping them conduct experiments and unlock scientific mysteries, much like having the right keys to open the doors of discovery. Custom peptides are synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) techniques, which allow for the precise control of peptide sequence and modifications.

Mimotopes' track record in the field is marked by several pioneering achievements. Their work in combinatorial chemistry, notably inspired by Professor Mario Geysen, has propelled advancements in drug-like molecule synthesis. The SynPhaseTM Lanterns, a testament to Mimotopes' mastery in polymer chemistry, have redefined solid-phase synthesis platforms.

Their expertise in epitope mapping, covering a spectrum from diagnostics for diseases like HCV to contributing vital insights for potential vaccine candidates against complex viruses such as HIV and influenza, has solidified their reputation as industry leaders.

In addition to made-to-order peptides, Mimotopes' existing PepSets™ peptide libraries serve as invaluable resources for Proteomics, Immunology, and Drug Discovery endeavors. These libraries encompass a diverse range of custom-synthesized peptides, offering researchers an immense array of options for bioactivity screening and experimentation. The accessibility and breadth of these libraries expedite the discovery process, enabling scientists to explore various avenues in their research with efficiency and efficacy.

In addition to peptides, Mimotopes provides high-quality amino acids, peptide synthesis reagents, and the SynPhase™ Lanterns. These components serve as essential tools in organic synthesis, combinatorial chemistry, and molecule scavenging. With their reliability and superior reaction kinetics, these products enhance accuracy and speed in research outcomes, providing scientists with indispensable resources for their experimental needs.

Mimotopes is leading the next frontier in Peptide-enabled therapies with PNAs, which are synthetic molecules designed to mimic the structure of DNA and RNA. They're like molecular tools that scientists use to study and manipulate genetic material. 

Just as peptides are like LEGO bricks that can be assembled into different structures, PNAs are also made up of building blocks, but instead of amino acids, they use nucleobases – the same components found in DNA and RNA. So, while peptides are crucial for building proteins, PNAs are more focused on interacting with genetic material. Its backbone consists of methylene carbonyl bonds linking various purine and pyrimidine bases, resembling peptides. Unlike DNA, PNA lacks charged phosphate groups, resulting in stronger binding to DNA and increased stability against DNases and proteases, both in vivo and in vitro.

Some common therapeutic uses of PNAs include: 

Antisense Therapy: PNAs can be designed to bind to complementary sequences of RNA, blocking the production of specific proteins. This approach can be used to treat diseases caused by overproduction of certain proteins, such as cancer or viral infections. 

Gene Editing: PNAs can be conjugated with other molecules, such as nucleases, to create gene-editing complexes. These complexes can be used to precisely modify DNA sequences, offering potential treatments for genetic disorders. 

Antiviral Therapy: PNAs can target essential sequences within the genomes of viruses, inhibiting their replication and potentially serving as antiviral agents. 

Antibacterial Therapy: PNAs can be designed to target essential genes in bacterial pathogens, offering a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics. 

Diagnostics: PNAs can be used as probes in diagnostic assays to detect specific DNA or RNA sequences, allowing for the rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens or genetic mutations.

The demand for personalized medicine and the increasing incidence of chronic diseases are likely to contribute to the growth of the peptide market in the future – which has seen a compound annual growth rate of 7% over the past four years and is set to continue, reaching approximately USD 44 billion in 2025. 

The rise of peptides is more than a modern pharmaceutical phenomenon; it's part of an enduring narrative of exploration and innovation in a quest to better understand our biological world. It is here that Mimotopes will continue to provide the blueprints for effective bioarchitecture for the betterment of health and medicine.